Step aside weird energy drinks and room temp afternoon coffee! I’ve got a green energy smoothie that serves as a natural pick-me-up and give you all the afternoon energy vibes you need to get through your day.

energy smoothie using fruit and vegetables

It’s 2pm and you’re nodding off. Time to get the next pot of coffee goin’, right? NO! Instead, give my energy smoothie a try. It’s part of my arsenal of natural energy boosters, full of whole food ingredients meant to give the body energy. And that’s energy without the jitters or the crash.

In fact, I’m giving you a whole list of great natural energy drinks to help you feel your best and chase your passions all day long.

Table of Contents
  1. Natural Energy Boosters
  2. Natural Energy Drinks
  3. Make an Energy Smoothie
  4. More Energy Smoothie Recipes
  5. Green Energy Smoothie Recipe
grapefruit is a great natural energy booster

Natural Energy Boosters

While plants natural provide our bodies what they need to thrive, specific plants are super charged to boost our energy.

gingerbroccoli
kalegoji berries
green tea*yogurt
sweet potatopumpkin seeds
macaavocado
salmonyerba mate*
quinoahoney
hemp seeds and oilbeans + lentils
spinachbrown rice
coffee*banana
almonds and other nutsasparagus
eggsoranges + citrus fruit
waterapples
blueberriescoconut – water, butter, oil, flesh
spirulinaflaxseeds and oil
dark chocolate*

*These foods naturally contain caffeine or other naturally occurring stimulants. Be sure to use them in moderation

So what’s the criteria for a naturally energizing food? The foods on this list often contain lots of fiber, which helps the body break down food slowly as well as use more of it for energy. The energy smoothie below has 3 grams of fiber along with 16 grams of natural sugar.

Many of the above foods are also loaded with vitamins + nutrients, like B vitamins and amino acids. These help the body stay awake and alert as well as focused. Toss one of these delicious foods (maybe not the fish) into your next green smoothie and turn it into a natural energy drink.

Smoothie Boosters

If you’ve already started drinking green smoothies, and you’re looking to supercharge the energy they give you, then I’ve got some tips.

First, I boost all my smoothies (including this energy smoothie) with plant based protein powder. Because I couldn’t find a clean + delicious one on the market, I made my own. My protein powder recipe adds 10 grams of pure, clean protein as well as 4 grams of healthy fat and 7 grams of fiber.

Then I open up my freezer. Depending on what my body needs (energy, immunity, help with inflammation), I also have a freezer full of smoothie cubes on hand to help. Just toss a few of these cubes into your next smoothie for an instant boost.

Natural energy with green smoothie

Natural Energy Drinks

Along with green smoothies, I also have a few fav drinks to keep my energy up in a way that works for my body and not against it.

Chia Fresca– This is my go-to drink after a long run or hard workout. Because it’s full of natural electrolytes, this refreshing beverage helps me recover quickly. I recommend this to any athlete I know; it’s got some serious energy boosting power! Drink the energy smoothie below before a workout, then use this chia fresca for recovery.

Healthy coffee– When I’m not on a seasonal cleanse, I do enjoy a daily cup of coffee. What used to be a whole pot of coffee has turned into an intentional 1 cup per day. I buy quality coffee beans then use grass-fed butter + collagen powder. This is as much of an energy boost as it is a ritual. This cup of coffee lets my body know it’s time to wake up, then conquer the day.

Green smoothie recipe with grapefruit and pineapple

Make an Energy Smoothie

Are you ready to switch up your afternoon pick me up? If so, then start gathering ingredients. Because it’s energy boosting abilities are so efficient, we often call this recipe the “Quick Pick Me Up” in honor of its superpower.

If you want a bigger energy boost, then swap in 1/2 cup green tea or coconut water for the 1/2 cup water. Green tea is naturally caffeinated, while coconut water is nature’s gatorade.

So grab your ingredients and let’s get blending this energy smoothie!

More Energy Smoothie Recipes

If you’re looking for more natural energy boosters, then I’ve got you covered with a few more smoothie recipes:

Be prepared to win the day after drinking one of these energy smoothies, because they’re going to pump you up!

energy smoothie
4.91 from 11 votes

Green Energy Smoothie

This energy smoothie is a delicious way to boost your energy levels, naturally. Grapefruit and pineapple combine to bring you natural sugar, vitamin c, and nootkatone, the secret weapon of grapefruit. 
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Smoothie
Cuisine: Plant-Based
Serves: 1

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup spinach
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ grapefruit peeled
  • 1 cup pineapple frozen
  • 1 serving homemade protein powder optional

Instructions 

  • Blend spinach, water, and grapefruit together until smooth.
  • Add remaining ingredients and blend again.

Notes

  • Use at least one frozen fruit to make smoothie cold
  • Swap spinach for the leafy greens of your choice
  • Swap pineapple with mango

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 31mg, Potassium: 520mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 4381IU, Vitamin C: 127mg, Calcium: 83mg, Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Omg
    I love this grapefruit smoothie it’s the bomb and delicious and I love it I just received my vitamin cup and bowl blending set and I made it PERFECT and what’s great I can put the lid on and go for refreshing healthy drink instead of flavored water in a can!!!
    Thanks for the recipe definitely making again and I have an excuse to buy grapefruit!!!!
    Thanks
    Danielle Schultz Oh

  2. 5 stars
    This may be my new go-to! Soooo good after a killer workout w/ protein powder added in. Next time I may also add some fresh ginger, too.

  3. 5 stars
    Me either… and I’m scared. But I also know how good it for us and helps burn fat. So bring it on!

    1. You’ve got this Lacey! Let us know what you think!

  4. 5 stars
    This smoothie gives me the energy boost I need in the afternoon! Delicious! 🙂

  5. 4 stars
    The grapefruit flavor came through too much for me so I added frozen fruit cubes. Much better!

  6. Hi there !! I will like to try this smoothie ,but I can’t have grapefruit. Is there a fruit swap that I can use? Thank you!!

    1. For sure Jasmine! Our fav swaps for grapefruit are orange, mango and tangerine. Let us know which you try and how you like it!

  7. Hi great recipes but a lot of them you are using far too much fruit , as a rule of thumb it should be 80% veg 20% fruit due to the sugar content of fruit.

    1. Hi Jeff

      Thanks for reaching out. Most of our recipes follow our Simple Green Smoothie Formula which is 3 cups fruit, 3 cups liquid base + 2 cups leafy greens for 2 servings. Too much sugar? Try turning our formula on its head + boost up those greens. Instead blend 2 cups fruit, 3 cups liquid base + 3 cups leafy greens. We’ve found that the more you blend, the more you crave those greens and end up moving towards lower fruit ratios.

  8. Hi There
    Does Your Quick Pick Me Up Smoothie aid in weight loss aswell????
    Many THANXS,
    Susannah

    1. Hi Susannah,

      Green smoothies can be a great way to reach your personal weight loss goals. One of the best options is using your green smoothie as a meal replacement. We simply suggest adding protein + healthy fats to this recipe to ensure you’re fueling you body with a complete meal. Learn more about our favorite meal replacement booster combos here…

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie